Category: Travel

Spending 4 days in Åre with friends was just what I needed before kicking off intensive thesis writing. I had almost forgotten how much fun it is to ski!

There is nothing better than hanging out in thermal underwear while enjoying an afterski-beer or hot minttu chocolate. No matter if you’re in private or public, dress code is red cheeks and flat, sweaty hair. We also visited Åre nightlife, and I wore sneakers and a fleece at the club – would never be acceptable in Stockholm, haha! So refreshing.

Lately I have been living so long straight out of my suitcase – first 3 weeks in Finland and then almost 1 week in Åre – that coming home to my own wardrobe and things feels like a luxury. I can’t wait for the everyday life and routines to kick in now, finally.

// Having four courses in one period doesn’t give me much freedom to travel, but luckily I managed to squeeze in at least a short four day visit to Spain. It was my second time in Torrevieja, last time I was there in 2012. Seeing my mom (and sun!) after a long time was totally worth the school stress and slightly inconvenient traveling hours. After a busy summer it was quite a luxury to just do nothing except lay on the beach and drink sangria! Salty hair, sweaty skin and sandy feet – oh my, oh my.

First, my lifestyle is going to bankrupt me.
Second, despite the fact above, all my weekend trips to Finland have had good reasons!

The first 7 weeks of my summer have been a bit (too) busy, working on weekdays and traveling to Finland on weekends. Result being maybe poor yet happy?

May began with a move to a new apartment and me sleeping on an air mattress for 1 month. Yes, it took me that long to get a decent bed. Other than that the month included last minute school deadlines, bootcamp, early morning flights, new job, partying and hanging at the beach. Couple of super warm days at the end of the month got whole Stockholm crazy!

June kicked off in Tampere with a traditional birthday party with my birthday twin (90’s theme and everything!). I also participated Jukolan viesti, one of the absolute highlights of every summer. After taking a late night flight from Jukola back to Stockholm, I slept for 3 hours and flew to Oslo with my colleagues AND spotted a Skam actor. (!!!)

In June we celebrated midsummer with my school friends in the most traditional way in Stockholm archipelago: delicious food, singing, snaps and dancing around the Maypole.

First of July I got to attend a beautiful wedding as my cousin got married. A day full of love and happiness, sharing and caring. I don’t think there is anything better than that. ❤

First time I moved to Stockholm right after graduating from high school. I was young and extremely impatient to see what life has to offer, but I was also determined with my plan to continue studies rather quickly after high school. Somehow a “gap year” spent studying in Sweden became my master plan, and I began my studies in Stockholm University. However, I knew all along that I wasn’t going to graduate from SU – I was mainly learning the language and exploring the city while preparing for the entrance examinations of Finnish universities.

A bit over three years in Finland passed by, and last fall I found myself in Stockholm – again. It’s funny, because I honestly never planned that to happen. Even when I applied to my current master’s program, I wasn’t sure if I was going to accept it in case I would get in. I enjoyed my job and already studied in a perfectly nice university.

After being accepted it all slowly came together. My old friends were still living in Stockholm, and the program felt too interesting for not seizing the opportunity. My Swedish skills were still far from perfect. Suddenly it hit me – I knew exactly what I was supposed to do.

And let me tell you: second time is a charm! Not that it was terrible four years ago, but this time everything was so much easier. After only few days I felt like I had been living here for years. I was more ready – I had become more confident and independent. First time was more like an exchange year, whereas now I don’t care to stress about how long I’m going to stay here.

I think the first time left so many things unfinished, that the second move was inevitable.

// Last December I left the dark and cold Stockholm behind as I flew to Puerto Rico in Caribbean for two weeks with my family. It was relaxing to go on a holiday where someone else had planned all the details and I just had to show up. After an exhausting autumn semester with my studies, I was happy with quite simple things: sleep, family and sun. We lived the first week in Hatillo and the second one in Guayama, and it was nice to see both sides of the island. However, this trip didn’t still heal my traveling fever – quite the opposite actually. Funny, you never remember missing the sun and beautiful beaches so much until after experiencing them!

Loviisa Läärä

Loviisa Läärä, 24. Originally from Finland, currently living in Stockholm, Sweden.

Documenting my thoughts about studies, travels, work and everyday life.